- In this June 21, 2017 file photo, Special counsel Robert Mueller after a closed-door meeting on June 21, 2017, with members of the Senate Judiciary Committee about Russian meddling in the election and possible connection to the Trump campaign. J.Scott Applewhite/ AP
- In this June 21, 2017 file photo, Special counsel Robert Mueller after a closed-door meeting on June 21, 2017, with members of the Senate Judiciary Committee about Russian meddling in the election aShow more

The Trump-Russia probe deepens as special counsel asks White House to hand over documents



Investigators working for US special counsel Robert Mueller, who is leading the inquiry into alleged collusion between Donald Trump's 2016 presidential campaign and Russia, have asked the White House for documents related to his former national security adviser Michael Flynn.

The New York Times reported that the document request - although not a formal subpoena -  is the first known instance of Mr. Mueller’s team asking the White House to hand over records. Citing unnamed sources close to the investigation, the Times also said the investigators had questioned witnesses about whether Mr Flynn was secretly paid by the Turkish government during the final months of the 2016 campaign.

The White House and Mr Flynn's lawyer, Robert Kelner, declined to comment but Ty Cobb, special counsel to Mr Trump, said, “We’ve said before we’re collaborating with the special counsel on an ongoing basis.”

President Trump has denied any collusion between his campaign and Russia and labelled the investigation a witch hunt.

On Saturday, the former Russian ambassador to the United States strongly denied the accusation of meddling in the American presidential race. Sergei Kislyak, who has just returned from Washington, said  he was merely doing his job as a diplomat when he met with members of President Trump's team. He had also had meetings with representatives of Hillary Clinton's campaign, but did not name names.

Mr Kislyak described the accusations against him as absurd and "shameful" for the US. The official acknowledgement that his phone conversations were bugged was "unhealthy," he added.

"Any diplomat, Russian or not, works to better understand the policy of a country he's posted to, figure out what the new administration's course is and understand where cooperation is possible," the former ambassador said.

Asked about his contacts with Michael Flynn, who served briefly as Trump's national security advise, Mr  Kislyak said that they did not  discuss any secrets.

"We talked about very basic things," he said. "There are a few subjects important for Russia-US cooperation, primarily terrorism, and it was one of the subjects we talked about. Our conversations were legitimate, calm and absolutely transparent."

He insisted they had not talked about sanctions because he was under orders from Moscow not to discuss the subject. "I had instructions not to discuss sanctions," he said. "We haven't been involved in any discussions or bargaining over sanctions, because we believe that they have been introduced unlawfully."

The president sacked Mr  Flynn in February after it became clear that he had misrepresented the nature of phone conversations he had with the Russian ambassador last  December. in June it was reported that federal prosecutors in the state of Virginia were investigating a deal between Mr Flynn and Turkish businessman Ekim Alptekin as part of a grand jury criminal probe.

Meanwhile, a White House adviser raised the possibility of lie detector tests for the small number of people in the West Wing (the president's work quarters) and elsewhere with access to transcripts of Mr Trump's phone calls. Kellyanne Conway suggested the measure after transcripts were published of  Mr Trump's telephone conversations with the leaders of  Mexico and Australia.

Appearing on the television show,  "Fox & Friends" , Ms Conway said, "It's easier to figure out who's leaking than the leakers may realize."

Attorney General Jeff Sessions pledged on Friday to rein in government leaks that he said undermine American security.

The specs: 2018 Nissan 370Z Nismo

The specs: 2018 Nissan 370Z Nismo
Price, base / as tested: Dh182,178
Engine: 3.7-litre V6
Power: 350hp @ 7,400rpm
Torque: 374Nm @ 5,200rpm
Transmission: Seven-speed automatic
​​​​​​​Fuel consumption, combined: 10.5L / 100km

The%20specs
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UK's plans to cut net migration

Under the UK government’s proposals, migrants will have to spend 10 years in the UK before being able to apply for citizenship.

Skilled worker visas will require a university degree, and there will be tighter restrictions on recruitment for jobs with skills shortages.

But what are described as "high-contributing" individuals such as doctors and nurses could be fast-tracked through the system.

Language requirements will be increased for all immigration routes to ensure a higher level of English.

Rules will also be laid out for adult dependants, meaning they will have to demonstrate a basic understanding of the language.

The plans also call for stricter tests for colleges and universities offering places to foreign students and a reduction in the time graduates can remain in the UK after their studies from two years to 18 months.

Francesco Totti's bio

Born September 27, 1976

Position Attacking midifelder

Clubs played for (1) - Roma

Total seasons 24

First season 1992/93

Last season 2016/17

Appearances 786

Goals 307

Titles (5) - Serie A 1; Italian Cup 2; Italian Supercup 2

RESULTS

Bantamweight: Victor Nunes (BRA) beat Azizbek Satibaldiev (KYG). Round 1 KO

Featherweight: Izzeddin Farhan (JOR) beat Ozodbek Azimov (UZB). Round 1 rear naked choke

Middleweight: Zaakir Badat (RSA) beat Ercin Sirin (TUR). Round 1 triangle choke

Featherweight: Ali Alqaisi (JOR) beat Furkatbek Yokubov (UZB). Round 1 TKO

Featherweight: Abu Muslim Alikhanov (RUS) beat Atabek Abdimitalipov (KYG). Unanimous decision

Catchweight 74kg: Mirafzal Akhtamov (UZB) beat Marcos Costa (BRA). Split decision

Welterweight: Andre Fialho (POR) beat Sang Hoon-yu (KOR). Round 1 TKO

Lightweight: John Mitchell (IRE) beat Arbi Emiev (RUS). Round 2 RSC (deep cuts)

Middleweight: Gianni Melillo (ITA) beat Mohammed Karaki (LEB)

Welterweight: Handesson Ferreira (BRA) beat Amiran Gogoladze (GEO). Unanimous decision

Flyweight (Female): Carolina Jimenez (VEN) beat Lucrezia Ria (ITA), Round 1 rear naked choke

Welterweight: Daniel Skibinski (POL) beat Acoidan Duque (ESP). Round 3 TKO

Lightweight: Martun Mezhlumyan (ARM) beat Attila Korkmaz (TUR). Unanimous decision

Bantamweight: Ray Borg (USA) beat Jesse Arnett (CAN). Unanimous decision

TOUCH RULES

Touch is derived from rugby league. Teams consist of up to 14 players with a maximum of six on the field at any time.

Teams can make as many substitutions as they want during the 40 minute matches.

Similar to rugby league, the attacking team has six attempts - or touches - before possession changes over.

A touch is any contact between the player with the ball and a defender, and must be with minimum force.

After a touch the player performs a “roll-ball” - similar to the play-the-ball in league - stepping over or rolling the ball between the feet.

At the roll-ball, the defenders have to retreat a minimum of five metres.

A touchdown is scored when an attacking player places the ball on or over the score-line.

The National's picks

4.35pm: Tilal Al Khalediah
5.10pm: Continous
5.45pm: Raging Torrent
6.20pm: West Acre
7pm: Flood Zone
7.40pm: Straight No Chaser
8.15pm: Romantic Warrior
8.50pm: Calandogan
9.30pm: Forever Young

WandaVision

Starring: Elizabeth Olsen, Paul Bettany

Directed by: Matt Shakman

Rating: Four stars